Several major UK charities have launched emergency appeals for fundraising as they respond to what has been described as “one of the worst floods” in Bangladesh’s history, which has left 27 people dead and left almost one million trapped without access to food, clean water, or shelter.
Charities including ActionAid UK, Oxfam, and Muslim Aid all began asking for donations this week in response to the natural disaster, which is estimated to have affected over five million people in the south Asian country overall.
The floods have affected around 12 districts across Bangladesh, and were thought to have been triggered by relentless heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers, and the release of water upstream in India.
Along with a lack of access to food, clean water or shelter, many of the 5.7 million people affected have also lost their livelihoods as entire communities have been left submerged by the floodwaters.
Oxfam
Oxfam has set a target of raising an initial €3m (around £2.5m) to respond to the floods, but said it would require an additional €5m to support longer-term rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas.
The charity will initially be distributing dignity kits, baby food, and cooked meals, and will later be focusing on addressing critical needs including water, sanitation, and shelter by restoring water and sanitation facilities, repairing shelters, and helping to rebuild livelihoods and community infrastructure.
ActionAid UK
ActionAid teams on the ground in Bangladesh are distributing food; dignity kits for safe and hygienic menstruation; clean water and water purification tablets and oral rehydration sachets.
In the next few weeks, the charity is hoping to provide emergency medicine to 7,500 flood survivors in temporary shelters, while its network of youth volunteers is travelling by boat into communities still submerged by the floodwaters to deliver supplies to those in need.
Muslim Aid
Muslim Aid is on the ground in Bangladesh distributing food, clean water, and supporting temporary shelters. It has also set up a ‘recovery and reconstruction fund’, which will be contributing towards rebuilding flood survivors’ livelihoods and community infrastructure.
Islamic Relief
Islamic Relief is distributing food to 5,000 of the most affected families in areas hard-hit by the floods, like Feni district and Comilla district.
It is also providing livestock fodder so farming families can feed their livestock; multipurpose cash assistance, and hygiene kits.
Human Appeal UK
Human Appeal UK, which has been working on the ground in Bangladesh for more than 30 years, is distributing food, livestock fodder, hygiene kits, and seeds for farmers whose agricultural land has been flooded. In doing so, it’s hoping its support will be able to reach around 12,000 flood survivors.
In the next few weeks, the charity is also going to work to rebuild latrines and tubewells to restore water and sanitation facilities in the affected areas.
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